Referee George Cain, caused pandemonium at the McAlpine Stadium by using FIFA's bizzare offside rule to gift Huddersfield a controversial winner.
Cain, in his last season as a Football League official, overruled his linesman on 67 minutes to allow Poland under 21 international Pawel Abbott's effort to stand.
Striker Abbott was clearly offside when he latched on to an attempted back header to round keeper Alan Marriott and prod home.
But referee Cain ruled Abbott was not interfering with play at the time he received the ball and allowed it to stand.
The decision sparked a mini riot among Lincoln's 1,200 travelling fans that had to be quelled by dozens of police officers who rushed to the scene to stop the violence spreading.
There was also sporadic fighting between Lincoln and Huddersfield fans after the game as the ill-feeling continued.
And several Lincoln players were lucky not to be sent off for man-handling referee Cain during several minutes of bitter protests about the goal.
The incident was initially started by Town defender Efetobore Sodje's long punt forward and as Andy Booth attempted to flick it on Lincoln's Paul Morgan tried to head it back to keeper Alan Marriott.
Abbott, on loan from Preston, was rushing back from his offside position when the ball landed at his feet but he made a swift turn and sped goalward before planting a low shot into the net.
The linesman was already flagging for offside and both sets of fans expected the game to re-start with a free kick to Lincoln.
But Cain stunned everyone by awarding a goal and then needed a police escort off the pitch when the game finally ended.
Lincoln lay siege to Huddersfield's goal for the remaining 20 minutes and were desperately unlucky not to grab a deserved equaliser.
They forced a succession of corners and had numerous attempts on target but could not find a way through.
The visitors had earlier taken a 19th minute lead when Town keeper Philip Senior collided with Stephen Yates to allow Marcus Richardson to score.
It was cancelled out by Nigeria world cup star Sodje's close range equaliser from Tony Carss's corner on 48 minutes.
But the game was totally overshadowed by Huddersfield's controversial winner and Lincoln boss Keith Alexander condemned referee Cain for the decision.
Alexander said: "It was a diabolical decision and the sooner Mr Cain retires the better.
"Our players worked their socks off but the referee cost us the game. Managers have to give marks to officials in reports and Mr Cain will be lucky to get none from me.
"There are several referee's in this division who are playing out their carears and it is time the Football League did something about this as we have had some terrible decisions this season."